May 26 Rides

[Starfish]

This was actually yesterday's ride. It was really amazing. God absolutely blessed my ride with so much beauty that I finally pulled over and just wept.

I went out for an easy endurance ride for 2-1/2 hours, and I drove my bike out to the one flat area we have around here to just relax and do an easy aerobic ride. But, I was feeling grumpy, because it was cold and not sunny, and I am tired of wearing my winter amfib tights. So, that was the mindset I was in, although also feeling emotional due to Memorial Day weekend and the recent loss of my Dad, a WWII hero.

Cruising through farmlands, with the salt water straits on one side, and a panoramic view of the Olympic Mountains on the other, here is what I saw, sprinkled out over the whole ride:

1) A large prehistoric looking, teradachtyl-like (sp?) heron, swooping through a river bottom
2) A small herd of elk
3) A doe and two fawns
4) Another, larger herd of elk
5) Two bald eagles engaged in what I assume was a mating dance, swooping and mirroring each other all over the sky
6) A falcon and another, smaller bird, engaged in what I can only describe as a dogfight, with the smaller bird finally shaking the falcon and living to see another day

I was simply overwhelmed with the abundance of natural beauty. As usual, I started out a ride grumpy, and returned home grateful.

[Meg McKilty]

Well, I saw a groundhog [try slowly to] trumble away from my sight today.

So there.

[Starfish]

Well, I saw a groundhog [try slowly to] trumble away from my sight today.

So there.

No, that groundhog was me, trying to waddle my way down the road! LOL

[makbike]

I joined Silver, Mr. Silver and a couple of thousand other cyclists on the Horsey Hundred. An array of bikes, jerseys and people were to be seen over the course of the beautiful day we were blessed with. I opted for the century and boy was the first half hilly. In the end my computer showed that I had logged 102.81 miles and average 15.84 for the day. I'm quite happy with my average speed given I really have not, due to health issues, eaten a regular meal all week nor had a normal night of sleep during this time frame. As I told BF at one of the stops - legs felt great but I knew all my cylinders were not firing during the first half of the ride. After lunch (sandwich, chips, apples and cookies) I felt stronger. It was a great day enjoyed by one and all. I'm looking forward to the second day of events tomorrow but not sure which route I will ride (37,52 or 70).